Inaugural Schedule
(Courtesy of the Presidential Inauguration Committee) The inaugural celebration will begin in the city where our democracy was born and the promise of our country was realized. On Saturday, January 17th, President-elect Barack Obama will be holding an event in Philadelphia, before boarding a train bound for our nation's capital. He will be picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family in Wilmington, DE, and then making a stop for an event in Baltimore, MD, before pulling into Washington, D.C. that afternoon.
The following events will take place in the nation's capital between Sunday, January 18th and Wednesday, January 21st:
Sunday, January 18th
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event will be free and open to the public.
Monday, January 19th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. To honor Dr. King's legacy, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.
That night, on the eve of the Inauguration, there will be a youth concert at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The concert will be free, but tickets are required.
Tuesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day
The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Festivities will commence at 9 a.m. (CST) on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:
Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet) President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Inaugural Address
Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"
After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.
Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls. More details about the Inaugural Balls will be released at a later date.
Inauguration Timeline
10:54AM (CST) Chief Justice and President-elect Barack Obama move to podium.
10:56AM (CST) The Presidential oath is administered.
10:57AM (CST) Herald Trumpets perform Ruffles and Flourishes and the U.S. Marine Corp Band plays Hail to the Chief. Twenty one gun salute.
10:58AM (CST) Senator Feinstein introduces the President
11:01PM (CST) Inaugural address
11:21PM (CST) Senator Feinstein introduces poet Elizabeth Alexander
11:27PM (CST) Benediction given by Reverend Joseph Lowery
11:31PM (CST) Presidential party departs from platform
11:32 PM (CST) Departure ceremony
11:36 PM (CST) President and Mrs. Bush depart from the East plaza in helicopter.
11:52 PM (CST) President's Room signing ceremony
12:05 PM (CST) Statuary Hall luncheon
1:32 PM (CST) Review of the troops
1:36 PM (CST) President and Mrs. Obama, and Vice President and Dr. Biden leave with parade.
Wednesday, January 21st
The newly-inaugurated President and Vice President of the United States will participate in a prayer service.
The PIC will release further details about official inaugural events at a later date. You can find the latest information at pic2009.org
